Receiver/Dryer when replacing air-con compressor

[nic]

Sadly it seems my air-con compressor has had it. Looks like I'm over to ebay to pick up a replacement.

Before I do that I'd just like to tap into the collective wisdom about something the mechanic said whilst pronouncing it dead. He reckoned I should get a new receiver/dryer when replacing the compressor. Has anyone else run into this and is it a good idea? If so how important is it - should I wait for all the kit before proceeding?

TIA

Nic

[helen&tony]

Hi
just had a second hand compressor fitted on my Opel fruit....didn't seem to need any other components....my advice....unless you know the other component is duff, suck it and see....but i'm no expert on aircon.
Cheers
Helen

[rwill19050]

Always, always, always replace receiver / drier when opening the circuit to atmosphere, any engineer 'worth his salt' should know that.
Sequence, suck out old gas (no, do not vent it, that is illegal), remove old compressor and drier.
Fit new dryer and compressor, fill compressor to level with oil and pull and hold a vacuum for 24 hours. (This pulls out any moisture and checks for leaks.)
Recharge the system and off you go........

Or take it to a 'cowboy' and take your chances

[helen&tony]

Hi rwill
I'm glad I've seen your post....I've obviously had mine repaired by the phantom horseman, then,. How much is a new receiver drier , roughly? Fortunately the Bongo's compressor is OK....They do lose gas, so how frequently do you reccommend a re-gas....bi-annually, or more often?
Cheers
Helen

[rwill19050]

Hi Helen,
They should not loose gas as a mater of course, so a loss is a serious matter.
Usual symptom of gas loss is 'icing up' of the compressor (external ice on the compressor and outgoing pipe) caused by compressed gas immediately expanding in the outlet chamber,of course or no cooling at all.
Receiver / dryer cost's around £25-00 to £35-00 'ish
In your case, if the system is working, and you have not suffered the dreaded 'moisture in the expansion valve' syndrome then leave it alone.
Next time though.

A link here that may be of interest to all considering a 'cheap' option
http://www.ariazone.co.uk/air_conditioning_news.asp


Oh for a reason to us the AirCon, where is summer by the way?

[helen&tony]

Hi rwill
My reason for asking about aircon system gas loss is that somewhere on the Forum i have seen posts saying that a system can lose around 15/16 % gas per year. Last year my aircon in the Bongo started giving warm air, so i had it Re-gassed and it works O.K.
Looking at that article, I suspect that a VERY large amount of bad practice goes on over here....they certainly just exhaust gas into the atmosphere, and I would expect they use those "dodgy" cylinders. Everything is just "window dressing" over here....there are plastic and glass recycling bins in the towns, but....wait for it....we are reliably informed that there are NO recycling plants in Bulgaria.....so any thought of reclaiming air conditioning gas is just a pipe-dream
Cheers
Helen

[rwill19050]

.they certainly just exhaust gas into the atmosphere, and I would expect they use those "dodgy" cylinders. Everything is just "window dressing" over here....there are plastic and glass recycling bins in the towns, but....wait for it....we are reliably informed that there are NO recycling plants in Bulgaria.....so any thought of reclaiming air conditioning gas is just a pipe-dream

Hi Helen
Just one more of the reasons they (Bulgaria) are in 'trouble' with the EU commission I guess.
Never mind, with the US not signing up to the Montreal / Kyoto treaty on Global warming what can you expect.
The US being one of the biggest (25% of total I believe) polluters in the world, but run by the oil barons.
Come on folks, are we surprised?
The EU signing up to it is a bit like trying to empty the bath with the tap running, a futile exercise.
Hey, rant over, I trust you have good enough weather to use your AirCon.
I'm off to London now, burning a load more diesel in Bertie Bongo and doing my bit toward global warming

Keep the faith

Richard

[nic]

Always, always, always replace receiver / drier when opening the circuit to atmosphere, any engineer 'worth his salt' should know that.

I guess my guy is worth his salt then. Add another few quid to the bill.

Thanks.